The god 'human' and human gods. Models of deification in Irenaeus and the Apocryphon of john

Journal article


Litwa, David. (2014). The god 'human' and human gods. Models of deification in Irenaeus and the Apocryphon of john. Journal of Ancient Christianity. 18(1), pp. 70 - 94. https://doi.org/10.1515/zac-2014-0006
AuthorsLitwa, David
Abstract

This article cempares two models of early Christian deification. Both models posit the reality of a human God, but in different ways. One model, represented by the Apocryphon ofjohn, posits a transcendent God Human whose divine essence is protologically given to humans made in his/her image. The other model, represented by Irenaeus of Lyon, posits a historical God-human whose incarnation paves the way for humans to participate in the immortality of God. In the first model, human and divine nature exist on a continuum, permitting human-divine union and even identity In the second, an ontological divide separates humans from God, allowing at most a participation in divine attributes. The comparison takes account of other similarities and differences in these two early Christian visions of deification, allowing for a full appreciation of both their diverse aspects and common core.

Year2014
JournalJournal of Ancient Christianity
Journal citation18 (1), pp. 70 - 94
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH
ISSN0949-9571
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1515/zac-2014-0006
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84922285772
Page range70 - 94
Research GroupInstitute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationGermany
EditorsH. C. Brennecke, V. H. Drecoll and U. Heil and C. Markschies
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